The essays on the presidency of Chen Shui-bian contained in this book will serve as useful background for anyone interested in watching and studying the presidential elections scheduled to be held in Taiwan in March 2004. Chen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is running for a second term. His opponents are KMT leader Lien Chan and PFP leader James Soong. The two camps are facing each other once again. Numerous studies since 2000 have exposed Chen Shui-bian's policies, defeats and achievements. As background, this book should be read to understand what scholars like John F. Copper call "the Taiwan issue", which has so far defied any solution and has been a cause for headaches to leaders in the United States as well as in China, currently the world's two most prominent countries. Chen's insistence on holding a defensive referendum in addition to electing, or reelecting, a president in March s has provoked strong reaction from both Beijing and Washington, deepening the existing problems between the three countries.

The essay by Tsai Wei, a research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University in Taiwan, says there is no solution in sight in regards to the crisis between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Tsai acknowledges Taiwan's problems, though he says, "China needs to reach a certain level of rationality, democracy and prosperity before it can appeal to the Taiwanese and tempt them to come to the negotiating table. There is indeed no light at the end of the tunnel." Such remarks were made many years ago and will likely be made again despite efforts to bring the two sides closer by well-meaning individuals who desire a peaceful settlement. Tsai says, in order to work out a solution to the crisis, there needs to be peace and stability, as the Taiwan Strait has remained a flashpoint. One of the many important recommendations Tsai makes is that the cross-strait relationship should not be allowed to deteriorate to a point beyond repair, because a majority of the Taiwanese people want stability and the maintenance of the status quo.

John F. Copper, a professor of international studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, says Chen came to the presidency "with a lot of baggage", meaning that he is a strong supporter of Taiwan's independence and opposes KMT's idea that Taiwan is part of China. Copper says Chen has successfully used weaknesses of the KMT government to win the presidency, but has not done well economically for the country. Copper says the euphoria in the early months of the Chen presidency has disappeared. One interesting remark Copper makes is that the KMT, after ruling Taiwan for more than 50 years, is not used to the idea of being outside the government and in the opposition. On the other hand, Chen and DPP had never been in the government before 2000.

Chao Chien-min, a professor of politics at the National Chengchi University in Taiwan, explains the DPP's factional politics and Taiwan independence. Sheng Lijun, a senior Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, examines the problems generated by the 2000 elections.

Essays by scholars in this book are remarkably timely considering Taiwan will be holding another presidential election in 2004.